Mexican director Alejandro Inarritu poses with US actress Emma Stone during the photocall of the movie "Birdman or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" presented in competition on the opening day of the 71st Venice Film Festival on August 27, 2014 at Venice Lido. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) less

Mexican director Alejandro Inarritu poses with US actress Emma Stone during the photocall of the movie "Birdman or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" presented in competition on the opening day of the 71st ... more

It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival started, Italy was a Fascist country. That didn't come much into play until 1938, when Joseph Goebbels became an annual fixture. Here he shakes hands with the Italian actress Elli Parvo at the presence of the Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Pavolini during the 9th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, 2nd September 1941. less

It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival started, Italy was a Fascist country. That didn't come much into play until 1938, when Joseph Goebbels became an annual fixture. Here he shakes hands ... more

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

It's hard to remember sometimes that when the festival... Photo-6778294.92368 - SFGate

Image 7 of 100

American actor Gene Tierney (1920 - 1991), wearing a lace top, sits next to French director Jean Renoir (1894 - 1979), as they look over the preview of the program for the annual Venice Film Festival, Italy. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) less

American actor Gene Tierney (1920 - 1991), wearing a lace top, sits next to French director Jean Renoir (1894 - 1979), as they look over the preview of the program for the annual Venice Film Festival, Italy. ... more

1950: American writer Richard Wright (1908 - 1960) in Venice for the screening of director Pierre Chenal's film, 'Native Son,' at the Venice Film Festival, Italy, 1950. Wright starred in the film, which was adapted from his novel. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) less

1950: American writer Richard Wright (1908 - 1960) in Venice for the screening of director Pierre Chenal's film, 'Native Son,' at the Venice Film Festival, Italy, 1950. Wright starred in the film, which was ... more

French actress Francoise Arnoul and Italian actress Giulietta Masina posing among the pigeons in San Marco square during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, September 1955 (Photo by Mario De Biasi/Carlo BavagnoliMondadori Portfolio by Getty Images) less

French actress Francoise Arnoul and Italian actress Giulietta Masina posing among the pigeons in San Marco square during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, September 1955 (Photo by Mario De ... more

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French journalist Pierre Galante, on board, during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1955. (Photo by Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images) less

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French journalist Pierre Galante, on board, during the 16th Venice International Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1955. (Photo by Mondadori Portfolio via ... more

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

British actress Olivia de Havilland with her husband, French... Photo-6778301.92368 - SFGate

Image 14 of 100

British actress, Diana Dors wearing a mink bikini and riding in a Gondola by St. Mark's Square, Venice during the Venice film festival. (Photo by Horace Abrahams/Keystone/Getty Images)

British actress, Diana Dors wearing a mink bikini and riding in a Gondola by St. Mark's Square, Venice during the Venice film festival. (Photo by Horace Abrahams/Keystone/Getty Images)

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the water, during the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the water, during the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

The actress Gina Lollobrigida on the seashore, her feet in the... Photo-6778304.92368 - SFGate

Image 17 of 100

The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice Intenational Film Festival. Venice (Italy), 1956. (Photo by Emilio Ronchini/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

Photo: Mondadori, Mondadori Via Getty Images

The actor James Mason on boat, in the course of the 17th Venice... Photo-6778305.92368 - SFGate

Salvador DALI, accompanied by his wife Gala, entering the screening room for the film premiere of LE GARDE DU CORPS, by the Japanese director Akira KUROSAWA, during the International Film Festival of Venice, on August 21, 1961. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) less

Salvador DALI, accompanied by his wife Gala, entering the screening room for the film premiere of LE GARDE DU CORPS, by the Japanese director Akira KUROSAWA, during the International Film Festival of Venice, on ... more

American actor Paul Newman, wearing a tuxedo and a bow tie, portrayed during a trip on a water taxi, a sailor cap on the dashboard, St. Mark Square in the background, Venice 1963. (Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images) less

American actor Paul Newman, wearing a tuxedo and a bow tie, portrayed during a trip on a water taxi, a sailor cap on the dashboard, St. Mark Square in the background, Venice 1963. (Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto ... more

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha Meryl Present The Film Une Femme Mariee At The Venice Film Festival In September 1964. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images) less

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha Meryl Present The Film Une Femme Mariee At The Venice Film Festival In September 1964. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty ... more

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

The French Film-Maker Jean-Luc Godard And The French Actress Macha... Photo-6778314.92368 - SFGate

The Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni carries under his arm and closed in a box the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award, received at the 40th edition of the Venice Film Festival. Venice (Italy), September 1983. That's what it all comes down to. Pour everything into your work, and the best you can hope for is to wind up alone, carrying a red box and waiting for the boat to show up. less

The Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni carries under his arm and closed in a box the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award, received at the 40th edition of the Venice Film Festival. Venice (Italy), ... more

Swedish director and scenarist Ingmar Bergman hugging his wife Ingrid von Rosen in front of the photographers at the 40th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, 1983. (Photo by Alberto Roveri/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images) less

Swedish director and scenarist Ingmar Bergman hugging his wife Ingrid von Rosen in front of the photographers at the 40th Venice International Film Festival. Venice, 1983. (Photo by Alberto Roveri/Mondadori ... more

French actor Olivier Martinez poses with his fiancee, US actress Mira Sorvino, before the projection of "The triumph of love", in comptetition at the 58 th International Film Festival, organized by Venice's Biennale, 05 September 2001. (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) less